Zhang Chen neither agreed nor disagreed with Zhou Qiucheng's words. Within the capital, the military truly was the strongest force.
"Stop the carriage for inspection!"
Zhang Chen and Zhou Qiucheng's carriage had barely drawn near when a guard stepped forward with a sharp shout, blocking its path.
Zhou Qiucheng lifted the curtain and drew a golden token from his robes. "This old man is Zhou Qiucheng of Chongzheng Academy. This is my communication token."
The guard accepted the token and inspected it. After confirming that it was genuine, he asked again, "Password."
Zhou Qiucheng said, "The Treasure Pagoda suppresses river demons!"
Hearing Zhou Qiucheng's words, the guard nodded and respectfully returned the golden token. "Please enter, sir!"
The carriage continued onward. Partway through the journey, Zhang Chen heard some commotion and lifted the curtain to look outside, only to see groups of students walking out from the mountains.
Curiosity appeared on Zhang Chen's face. "Could it be that they've been given a holiday?"
"The opening of a new world is an event of immense importance. Naturally, the court had to clear the grounds in advance to prevent anyone from secretly causing trouble. All those students were driven out, lest someone mingle among them and fish in troubled waters. There may not be an enormous number of students in the academy, but there are certainly not few either—at least three thousand. If someone were to slip in among them, it would bring tremendous losses to the Great Victory Royal Family," Zhou Qiucheng said.
Zhang Chen revealed a thoughtful expression upon hearing this. His eyes swept over the students in the distance, who were engaged in lively discussion. Their gazes were filled with curiosity, yet he said nothing more. He lowered the curtain and closed his eyes to rest.
Time trickled by.